I'm so happy to finally be able to share this project with you all - I've been starry eyed for it for months, but didn't want to feature it here until the pattern was all set with t's crossed and i's dotted. She's all set now, though - and just in time for wintry knitting!

May I introduce my new favorite thing to have on my person at all times. In fact, I knit this in August while I was in the PNW (summer knitting is bearable there), but only recently, since the cold weather has hit us hard have I been getting to indulge myself. You'll see two versions shown here - the Blanket version (Yellow) is worked in an aran weight Wool/Llama blend (Cascade Pastaza) and the Shawl Version (Light Brown) is worked in fingering weight Shetland wool (Jamieson's Spindrift)(Swoon). They're both fantastic and so very different.

I'm consistently fascinated by how incredibly important yarn choices are when we knit, and how, especially with lace, a project can completely change in nature solely based on yarn construction, weight and fiber. My goal here was to provide a pattern that could have flexible function - if you want a big woolly throw to keep you warm this winter - you got it. If you want a more traditional, Shetland lace shawl - light as a feather and shockingly toasty - you can have that too!

The pattern is worked in the round with a traditional circular shawl construction - started in the center and increasing outward towards the edges as you work. A circular cast-on is recommended but not required - and if you've never tried one, I highly recommend it. You'll never go back! [Great tutorials here and here] My favorite thing about circular shawls is, as you may have guessed, absolutely no purling(!) - and this one is no exception. Also, every other round is plain knitting, so essentially half of the knitting is mindless stockinette, and that's always a plus in my book.

The pattern utilizes a knitted-on edging to finish off. Because elasticity is a prized quality in lace, any and all bind-offs should be avoided like the plague. Knitted-on edgings are a completely wonderful solution to this problem - not only are they equally elastic as the rest of your knitting, but they look great and add an interesting contrasting element (worked perpendicular to the rest of the shawl) to any design.

For you first time Knitted-On-Edgers, this is how it works: when you've reached the last official round of the center section of the shawl, you will no longer be working in the round. With the working yarn you cast on directly the number of sts for your edging (in this case 4) and begin working back and forth on those stitches in the edging pattern, joining the edging to your live shawl sts around the circumference as you go. It's a fascinating technique and a whoooole lot of fun. Read more about circular shawl construction + edgings here [Thanks, as always to Eunny for these exhaustively thorough, wonderful lace compendiums].

As with many of my other patterns, the bulk of the motifs are charted (I'm a chart freak, what can I say.) If you're new to knitting from charts, or want to brush up your skills here is a wonderful tutorial with lots of visual aids that I find very helpful. The pattern includes yardage/dimension/gauge information for both weights listed above, but I always encourage creative yarn choices and love to see how patterns play out with different yarns. Gauge in stockinette for the blanket version is approx 4 stitches per inch, and 6 stitches per inch for the shawl version. As always, though, gauge in lace is variable and should always be determined by your personal preference for the finished fabric.

The pattern is available for 6.50 (USD) in my Ravelry Store, for Ravelry members, or through Paypal. Just follow the buttons below.

The Brooklyn Tweed Guarantee: As a self-publishing designer, I strongly feel that it is my responsibility to you to present a quality product free of errors that is pleasing both from an aesthetic and practical point of view. All patterns that are self-published here at Brooklyn Tweed have been test knit by multiple knitters using various manufactured yarns to ensure the most pleasurable and intuitive knitting experience. I have personally prepared all diagrams and charts as well as knit/photographed samples and designed pattern layouts - soliciting the opinions of knitters prior to publication in an effort to streamline this product. I have done my very best to bring you a pattern that I am proud to stand behind fully. I do my best to respond to concerns or comments as soon as possible and, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement. Happy knitting! -Jared

Oh stop it! It is gorgeous...I am currently having knitting lace withdrawals...this may be the cure. I have been searching the perfect afghan type pattern for the new couch...hmmm. I think this may be my january project! Excellent, as always!

This reminds me of EZ so much! I thought is was another of her patterns when I first saw it. But I I love the more intricate flower at the center with the zig-zagging lines going perpendicularly to each other. That's a really nice design element. I love it!

I always know when you're not lurking around here for a period of time, that you're going to just appear out of the blue with something magical and wondrous for us!!! I am completely in love with these beautiful pieces. Thank you so much for sharing!

Oh, truly Jared you've now outdone yourself. :)Hello, I have never commented on your blog before - though I am a faithful reader since, um, probably two years ago? Anyway, that's irrelevant.

I'm coming out of the woodwork now not only to congratulate you on such a great design (so gorgeous!), but also because I have a question, which is: do you think Girasole can be knitted out of unspun/pre-yarn? I bought some wheels that I have not yet started knitting with, and I am not sure if unspun yarn can accommodate lace that is, well as lacey as this, without having a strength/breaking issue...

I'm already looking forward to knitting it, even though I first have to finish 3 gifts and a Shetland Triangle KAL... Thank you for, well, being so inspired and inspiring yourself.

If you ever run short on test knitters, keep me in mind. I'd love to test out your patterns, even though I haven't knit any of them yet. Shame, I know. I work for KP and also knit for Laura (Fiber Dreams)before.

The pattern section of Ravelry is a daily treat. Sometimes I roll my eyes, sometimes I get a giggle, but yesterday I sucked air in and yelped "Dang you, Jared!" LOL!!!!

This is absolutely stunning. I zipped over and purchased the pattern.

So MUCH knitting! So LITTLE time! But this one gets bumped to the top of the heap. I'm casting on a sweater next week and then I'm starting in on this beauty. My winter knitting will be bliss! OHHHHYEAH!!!

Jared, what am I going to do with you? I just cast on the Hemlock Ring Blanket yesterday (that needs to be finished before Sunday....yes less than 4 days) and am LOVING it. Now you're adding to my Ravelry queue yet again.

Girasole is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! Thanks as always for sharing your designs with all of us. ;)

I think think you have achieved your goal because I want to knit Girasole, not just one Girasole but two - in both Aran weight and fingering weight yarns. I'll be back sometime in 2009 to purchase this lovely pattern.

Ooooh! Jared, you constantly challenge me to knit better, faster, try new & scary things! I had just promised DH not to buy any more knitting 'stuff', but this is a work of art! Thank you for the beautiful photography & the wonderful pattern!

that is beautiful. i was wondering if you could think of a yarn sub. that would still look nice, but would be a little more affordable? unfortunately 14 skeins of pastaza doesn't fit well in my college student budget...

I saw this and immediately bought the pattern and ran to the knitting store. I stayed up all night working on my Girasole and at this moment it looks like a beautiful 24" snowflake of white Shepherd's Wool. I love it, and I know I'll end up making another tweedy version for me to keep after my mom steals this one.

I've been reading your blog for 2 years now. Every single thing you knit is amazingly beautiful and thoughtful. I have fallen in love with your Girasol and I must knit it. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us. (twoleftsocks in Ravland)

Oh Jared, Jared, you've done it again. Just when I"m nearly caught up enough to do the next lace wish, here you come with another beauty. So I've gotten the pattern, and we'll just see what comes up. What IS it about lace?! Thanks, you're genius!

This is gorgeous, but for now, beyond my resources in terms of time and ability. However, I love the Brooklyn Tweed Guarantee as much as I love Girasole. I wish every business--big or small--were as responsible and forthright. I hope I'm up to creating my very own Girasole sooner rather than later. Congratulations on a beautiful creation.

What a beautiful creation! I am glad you mentioned making it as a blanket, since I would enjoy knitting a circular shawl much more than wearing one, but a sunflower blankie would be a true gift to myself.

You are good, likes the work which very much you design, after I purchased Girasole draft ~ completed, me to ask you to pass again have a look! But I must overcome the writing first, because of me in Taiwan!!

Dear Jared,I used to think I loved you.Now I know it's true. If I could think of a rhyme right now I would write you a poem. But words fail me. But as I told my Rav group, how can you NOT love a man who knits and is devoted to EZ.Good thing I am old, and you are far away or I might swear off girls. Yeah, fat chance. But this grandma still thinks you are HOT and your knitting rocks too!Happy yarning,B

Thanks so much for this design--you can't imagine how happy I was the day you posted it, as it is exactly what I had *just* been looking for! I'm into chart D already and really digging the pattern (so easy to "see"!) and I can't wait to have a finished product.

so a little late to the band wagon but I just saw this pattern completed by someone. She made two and they were both amazing. She also used two diff yarns and two sizes. This looks like an amazing work of art and I am very tempted to start it. Thank you for writing and making it available.

Gee thanks Jared. I finished the Hemlock blanket with the group on the knitting community with Knitpicks and here you go with another beeuuuuutiful one. Now I will have to post to the UFO group about the blanket in progress that is going down so I can knit this up. OOOh and need more yarn too...See what you started, you darling you. Sharon

Is there any any possibility that you might add written instructions someday? I am utterly chart impaired, I have tried and tried and tried and anything I try from a chart invariably becomes a horror of too many or too few stitches and other nasties ....

Thanks a lot for your beautiful patterns. Girasole is really astounding , both ways (well, there may be others...). Can't wait to lay my hands on the right yarn (I think I'll get Pastaza while visiting the USA in exactly a month...)....A note to the comment posted Dec 24th 2008: Girasole doesn't mean artichoke in Italian (that's carciofo!): it means Sunflower instead, that's why it's so beautiful in that goldenrod shade. Literally it means "To turn towards the sun", which is exactly what sunflowers do. I really like the word in Italian, it has a certain inherent poetic quality...Thanks again, Francesca

Have just started this pattern in a between-lace-and-fingering yarn in the most gorgeous cherry-chocolate color I've ever seen. I can't wait to finish; it's going to be so pretty!

So far the pattern is easy to understand and very straightforward, no errors found thus far, great explanations, no places where I'm left wondering what on Earth the designer wants me to do, or what they were smoking. :-)